Pouring attachment for paint cans

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an improved paint can pouring attachment adapted to facilitate the predictable pouring of paint, with reduced likelihood of spillage and leakage along the edge of the paint can, the apparatus functioning, in addition, to prevent the entry of paint into the rim of the paint can, thereby assuring that the lid of the paint can may be reapplied without compromising the seal afforded thereby. The apparatus is characterized by a body portion having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, the body portion being chevron-shaped, the depth of the chevron being substantially greater than the horizontal dimension of the rim of the paint can, whereby when the pouring device is mounted by adhesive attachment over the said rim, the trailing edge of the chevron will overlie the interior of the can and the leading edge of the chevron will extend beyond the rim.

States Patent [191 Shorin et al.

[11] 3,822,812 July 9,1]974 POURHNG ATTACHMENT FOR PAINT CANS [75] Inventors: Joseph E. Shorin, New York, N.Y.;

Vero Ricci, Collingswood, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Aggogle Inn, New York, NY. [22] Filed: July 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 383,135

[52] U.S. Cl. 222/570 [51] Int. Cl B6511 5/74 [58] Field of Search 222/570, 541, 567

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,834 1/1935 Linthouse 222/570 X 3,726,447 4/1973 Klygis 222/567 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollber'g Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mark T. Basseches; Paula T. Basseches [57] v ABSTRACT The present invention is directed to an improved paint can pouring attachment adapted to facilitate the predictable pouring of paint, with reduced likelihood of spillage and leakage along the edge of the paint can, the apparatus functioning, in addition, to prevent the entry of paint into the rim of the paint can, thereby assuring that the lid of the paint can may be reapplied without compromising the seal afforded thereby.

The apparatus is characterized by a body portion having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, the body portion being chevron-shaped, the depth of the chevron being substantially greater than the horizontal dimension of the rim of the paint can, whereby when the pouring device is mounted by adhesive attachment over the said rim, the trailing edge of the chevron will overlie the interior of the can and the leading edge of the chevron will extend beyond the rim.

' 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l POURING ATTACHMENT FOR PAINT CANS BACKGROUND OF Tl-IEINVENTION cally formed with a surrounding lip or rim at the uppermost edge. Sealing is usually effected by a lid formed with a complemental bead which may be seated within the lip of the can, the bead being driven into position within the lip.

In use, after the can top has been removed, paint is typically poured over the lip or rim, with the result that paint flows into the lip and, unless pouring is effected by an experiencedpainter, may even follow the outer contour of the paint can. It will be evident that when the paint hardens, it will be impossible to reseat the lid within the groove of the paint can with sufficient tightness to effect a complete seal, with resultant premature solvent evaporation, oxidation, contamination, etc., rendering the remaining quantities of paint unuseable.

In order to overcome the difficulties noted, and particularly paint ingress into the groove or rim, numerous apparatuses have been suggested. Such apparatuses include strips which conform or may be made to conform SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention may be summarized as directed to a chevron shaped body member formed of relatively thin, stiff material, the leading and trailing edges of which define V-shaped configurations. Preferably the attachment is symmetrical about an axis drawn between the apices of the Vs defining the chevron.

A pressure sensitive adhesive coating is formed on one face of the apparatus, the pressure sensitive area being covered by a release layer.

In the preferred form of embodiment, an attachment tab is defined, by a side edge of the chevron configuration being folded over about a fold line paralleling the connection line between the apices. When the folded over component has the release covering removed and is secured in proximate parallel relation to the rim of the paint can, the apparatus may be shifted to its pouring position simply by stripping the remaining release coating, pivoting the stripped portions of the chevron through 270, and pressing the exposed adhesive portions of the chevron over the rim of the can. The resultam-operations will cover the rim, preventing ingress of paint.

When paint is poured in a direction substantially coincident with the line joining the apices of the lead and trailing edges of the chevron, there is formed a particularly well defined pouring stream, the formation of such stream being considered to result from the fact that the material is thin stock presenting a knife edge, the converging configuration of the trailing edge of the chevron, i.e. the edge in registry with the open top of the can, plus the pointed departure area at the apex of the lead edge of the chevron.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an inexpensive pouring attachment for paint cans which will function to facilitate pouring of the paint, assuring that the paint will be poured in a predetermined stream clear of the can, without likelihood of following the external contour of the can.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pouring apparatus of the type described which will protect the groove of the paint can against the ingress of paint in the course of pouring.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a pouring apparatus for paint cans of the type described which is extremely inexpensive, thus suggesting disposal following utilization.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a pouring attachment of the type described which may, for convenience, be temporarily secured to the exterior of the can in an inactive position and readily pivot through 270 and be attached to the can to permit pouring. Preferably the pouring attachment in the inactive position may carry advertising, promotion or instructional matter.

The apparatus may be secured to the paint cans by the paint manufacturer or attached to individual cans by the distributor or vendor who has been provided with bulk supplies thereof, the cost of the item and its ready attachment to the can making the device particularly suitable for use as a premium.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type described which, when attached to the exterior of the can, will not increase the bulk of the can, whereby attachment may be effected at the factory without any significant change in packaging, shipping or distributing procedures.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of an opened paint can with the pouring attachment secured thereto in the inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a magnified vertical section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1; v

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paint can to which the pouring attachment has been applied in operative position;

. FIG. 4 is a magnified vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a paint can with the pouring spout in operative position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for the formation of the paint pouring device in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a conventional paint can 10 having the usual hooplike handle or bail 11. As is typical, the paint can includes an upper rim 12 having a depending annular receiver groove 13, within which a depending annular rib 3 or lip of the paint can lid (not shown) is adapted to be seated.

It will be appreciated that when the groove 13 is clear of detritus, etc. and the annular lip of the paint can lid is tightly and intimately driven into position within the groove, a tight seal is effected, precluding evaporation of solvents, etc. It will be further understood that should the groove 13 become fouled with hardened paint or the like, the lid may not be seated with sufficient accuracy to effect a complete seal. Similarly, if the groove 13 should be filled with liquid paint and an attempt made tightly to apply the lid of the can, the quantities of paint contained within the groove will be driven outwardly, resulting in contamination of surrounding surfaces.

The pouring device 14 of the present invention comprises a generally chevron shaped member 15 including a V shaped lead edge 16, a V shaped trailing edge 17, and side edges 18 and 19. Preferably the chevron is symmetrical about the line L joining the apices 20, 21 of the Vs of the-lead edge 16 and trailing edge 17.

As best appreciated from the sectional view of FIG. 2, the pouring attachment includes a body portion 22 which is preferably made of a thin, stiff but bendable material, such as heavy paper, oaktag, cardboard and certain plastic compositions. A pressure sensitive adhesive layer 23 is applied to the unexposed surface 24 of the body 22. A release layer 25, which is lightly adhered to the pressure sensitive layer, is secured in protecting relation over the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the release layer 25 is formed with a first line of perforations 26, which is in parallel spaced relation to the side edge 19 of the chevron. Preferably the chevron is folded through 180 about the line 26, with the body portion 22 at the interior of the fold.

With the parts positioned in the manner noted, the pouring attachment may be applied to the paint can by stripping the short length of release paper 25 from the area between the line 26 and side edge 19 of the chevron.

The apparatus is applied to the paint can by pressing the exposed short segment of pressure sensitiveadhesive 27 against the side of the paint can immediately adjacent the upper edge of the rim 12. The pouring attachment thus applied is referred to as being in the inoperative position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Optionally but preferably, in order to assure that the pourer lies substantially flat against the side of the can face, a second line of perforations 28 is formed adjacent the side edge 18 of the chevron through all of the layers, eg the release, pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and body.

When the attachment is secured to the can, only that portion of the release layer in the area between the line 28 and the side 18 is stripped, the chevron folded through 180 about the line 28, and after application of the pressure sensitive adhesive portion 27 adjacent the top of the can, the exposed pressure sensitive component 29 adjacent side 18 is secured to the side of the can 10, assuring a conforming relationship of the attachment to the can in the inoperative condition.

In order to shift the pouring attachment to operative position, the release layer 25 is peeled from the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the chevron folded 270 about the fold line 26, shifting the same to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Preferably, the user should apply a downward pressure to the portions in registry with the rim of the can to assure a complete seal between all of the upper edges or crests of the rim 13 and the pressure sensitive adhesive components.

With the parts thus positioned, pouring of the paint may be effected, the flow of the paint, by reason of the aligned apices 20 and 21 and the knife edge provided by the thin stock material being in a well defined and predictable stream.

Without limitation to any specific theory, it is believed that the well defined nature of the paint stream results from the utilization of a relatively thin stock material at the portions over which the paint flows, in combination with the V shaped configuration of the trailing edge of the attachment in registry with the interior of the paint can, the latter being aligned as re spects the flow path with the exterior apex 21.

it will be understood that in the embodiment wherein a connection is effected in the area between the line 28 and side edge 11, the paint pouring attachment is shifted to operative position by first severing the perforate connection at line 28, whereupon the remaining portions of the chevron may be folded through 270 in the manner aforesaid.

It will be appreciated from an inspection of the device that where only a very small quantity of paint remains in the can, it may be desirable to strip the pouring' attachment to effect removal of the remaining quantities. Such fact does not reduce the value of the attachment since resealing of the can is not anticipated after the paint is used up, and difficulties in pouring terminal quantities of paint are not normally encountered.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the paint pouring attachment of the instant invention is inexpensive and conveniently applied either by the original packer or by the hardware store or other vendor of the paint can.

It will be further understood that the device is ideally suitable to carry advertising material 30 on the outer or exposed face of the release material, which material may be promotional material relating to the paint, the paint vendor, preferred paint brushes for use with the device, etc.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made within the context of the above description without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by.letters patent is:

1. A pouring device for attachment to a paint can and shiftable, after attachment, between an inactive and a pouring position, comprising a generally chevron shaped body member formed of thin, stiff material, the leading and trailing edges of said body member defining converging configurations, said edges being substantially symmetrical to each side of a line joining the apices of said configurations, said body member including side edges extending between said leading and trailing edges, a pressure sensitive adhesive backing layer formed on one surface of said body member and a peelable release layer in shape corresponding substantially to said body member in covering relation of said adhesive layer, an attachment tab defined by an increment of said body portion extending inwardly from a side edge thereof, said attachment tabbeing separated from the remainder of said body portion by a fold line, said release layer being slit substantially in registry with said fold line for selective removal of the portions of said release layer in registry with said tab, the exposed adhesive portions on said attachment tab being adapted to be connected to the side portionof a paint can adjacent the top whereby remaining portions of said body are supported in inactive position adjacent the side of said 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim I wherein the -6 v exposed surface of said release layer includes indicia means defining an advertising message.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1 and including a retainer tab defined by a portion of said body member adjacent the side edge remote from said attachment tab, the release layer in registry with said retainer tab being slit for selective removal thereof from the remainder of said release layer, and a weakened perforation line extending across said body member at the demarkation area between said retainer tab and the remainder of said body member.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the exposed surface of said release layer includes indicia means defining an advertising message. 

1. A pouring device for attachment to a paint can and shiftable, after attachment, between an inactive and a pouring position, comprising a generally chevron shaped body member formed of thin, stiff material, the leading and trailing edges of said body member defining converging configurations, said edges being substantially symmetrical to each side of a line joining the apices of said configurations, said body member including side edges extending between said leading and trailing edges, a pressure sensitive adhesive backing layer formed on one surface of said body member and a peelable release layer in shape corresponding substantially to said body member in covering relation of said adhesive layer, an attachment tab defined by an increment of said body portion extending inwardly from a side edge thereof, said attachment tab being separated from the remainder of said body portion by a fold line, said release layer being slit substantially in registry with said fold line for selective removal of the portions of said release layer in registry with said tab, the exposed adhesive portions on said attachment tab being adapted to be connected to the side portion of a paint can adjacent the top whereby remaining portions of said body are supported in inactive position adjacent the side of said can, said attached device being foldable about said fold line to a pouring position whereat said body portion is in registry with the rim of said can and is adapted to be adhesively connected thereto by removal of the remainder of said release layer.
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said configurations are generally V-shaped.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the exposed surface of said release layer includes indicia means defining an advertising message.
 4. The device in accordance with claim 1 and including a retainer tab defined by a portion of said body member adjacent the side edge remote from said attachment tab, the release layer in registry with said retainer tab being slit for selective removal thereof from the remainder of said release layer, and a weakened perforation line extending across said body member at the demarkation area between said retainer tab and the remainder of said body membEr.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the exposed surface of said release layer includes indicia means defining an advertising message. 